If Fun and Frolic become your buzzword at the weekend then Destin should be your right destination. Geographically it is located at south and conveniently connected to the city.

Emerald Green Sea, Cleansed water, sugar like sands are the key component to greet you for the weekend. People interested for water sports can get plenty of variety in Destin where even you can opt for roaming around under the sea to meet the secret movements of sea fish.

You can look for fishing or playing with a dolphin in the best sea beach of south. The salient feature of Destin that it never despairs anybody, whether you plan for going with your girl friend or with your entire family, Destin has kept some provision for you.

So, why to suppress your inner instinct, rather ignite your desire and plan for destin in the coming weekend.

An immaculately planned Indian city famous for its unconventional gardens and fountains lured me back after a gap of almost 12 years. It prompted me to recollect a strenuous journey I had undergone which had left me aching and drooping on the Poorva Express sleeper class and when we finally disembarked at New Delhi station it was like a touch of fragrance that would remain with me forever.

Due to a steady stream of villagers boarding from relatively unknown pockets of UP and Bihar the train was bulging at the seams. A political rally alas had given them a relatively rare chance of catching a glimpse of the Indian capital.

The claustrophobic atmosphere was heightened by lack of water, passages littered with groundnut peels, orange and banana skins and unclean toilets, left us sore.

We were all sitting ramrod straight six to a berth mostly throughout the 27 hrs. with hardly any chance of recalling who was falling asleep on whose shoulder.

The approaching New Delhi station seemed to send a ripple of excitement through the thronged public and the cacophony reached a feverish pitch. Our cubicle was boarded by three nuclear families wherein were two teenagers and a toddler. While I found a vibrant bond in my co-passenger a couple of years my senior it was the one-and -a-half-year old Tutu who kept us on the edge of our seats.

The three sets of parents were for once freed from the shackles of their primary job, to look after their respective offspring, as we seemed to get along exceptionally well. In just those hours of that tumulus journey our bonding were fostered forever, it rankles my mind even today to think I will never meet Tutu or Mithu ever again. Gradually the pitch of our newly found cocoon changed with the trampling of the barefoot or even muddy village folks with gaping eyes.

The epitome of the journey was the mid day meal as it was through that our sharp contrasts merged to bring to the fore a staunch truth - that we all belonged to the same human race.

As the train trudged ahead after an unfathomable delay the train caterers served the lunch trays only around 4pm and we almost whistled at their sight. Every corner of the compartment was filled with the munches and crunches of chewing food.

Leghsun ki chatni and por ki roti packed in crumpled newspaper or sal leaves with traces of salad and a dash of lime were on the palate with mutton masala, cabbage curry, chole and curds. The sharing of food opened the doors of our locked hearts and we welcomed our undesirable guests with aplomb.

We went on to Chandigarh by bus, our destination and home pulling the curtains on my annual holidays at Kolkata leaving me to ruefully look on towards the grueling half year ahead. The bus journey had every peace, comfort and entertainment that was due to us in stark contrast to the one on the train.

However my soul missed the intermingling of hearts abode that Poorva Express coach on that fateful afternoon which is a rare occurrence and was perhaps consummated by Thee himself.

Innumerable lamps are lighted simultaneously, deep sharp sound of conch shells, resonance of hundreds of gongs make the sacred river Ganga of Hari Ki Pouri vibrant in every evening. Hundreds of people throng to witness the most enchanting sight of sandhya aarti and carry an ever lasting memory with them. A naturist becomes charmed at the cynic beauty of the co existence of the mountain Himalaya and the river Ganga.

A pilgrim earns his devotion in his bath in the cool Ganga and several temples in the surroundings. The first gentle touch of the freezing water of the generous Ganga sends an electrifying shock through the spinal chord.

Haridwar, the spiritual gateway, is located at the newly built state Uttarakhand in India. Haridwar is the starting point of journey towards the sacred places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gongotri, Jomunetri. Ganga, the holiest river, trickled forth from Lord Shiva’s matted hair and found the plains first in Haridwar. According to the Hindu Mythology, the sage Kapila (Kapilastaan) got terribly annoyed on Bhagiratha, who was carrying ganga to the earth and burnt his descendants to ashes.

Haridwar is one of the holy places, which has been blessed by the few drops of nector, which rolled down to the earth during the legendary fight between the Gods and demons to win the Kumbh containing Amrit - the immortality. The Kumbha Mela (Purna Kumbha comes up every twelve years, when Jupiter transits to the zodiac sign of Aquarius) is one of the biggest celebrations in Haridwar, which brings millions of people from all corners of India and abroad. Haridwar is blessed with the presence of Hyuen Tsang, Bhagirath, King Vikramaditya and above all the trinity of hindu mythology Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Haridwar, in spite of his several names like Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Mokshadwar, remains as the best holistic place for Hindus.

A romantic look from the hotel balcony at the dead of night at The spectacular view of the calm Ganga on the lap of the mutely powerful Himalayas, will surely stir your body and mind.

Never forget to visit Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar, Chandi Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temple. You can take a rope way journey to reach Mansa Devi Temple.

Haridwar is well connected to several places through rails and roads. Delhi and Dehradun are two airports in the vicinity. A 1.5 hours journey from Dehradun and a 4 to 5 hours journey from Delhi will reach you Haridwar. You can opt either for road or for rail. You can get trains from all parts of the country including prestigious train like Shatabdi express from Delhi.

There are plenty of hotels in Haridwar. Hotel Teerth, Gyan Lodge are a few hotels located exactly on the bank of the river Ganges. Besides these, you can also stay at Bharat Sevashram, Puroheet Lodge etc. It is advisable to book a hotel well in advance mainly in the festive season